Ezetimibe and Back Pain: What Users Say

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2023

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "I took Zetia, 10 mg once per day, for approximately 1 month. My lower back pain became so bad I could hardly get out of bed. I've been off of Zetia now for over a month, and the lower back pain is excruciating still. My primary care physician told me that I should not be having any side effects after being off of Zetia for one month. She told me that my lower back pain is due to something else. That's funny, I never had the lower back pain before starting Zetia! Anyway, one month post-Zetia, still excruciating lower back pain. I'm not sure if it threw my back into premature arthritis or what. I'm 72 years old, so something's hurting nearly every day. LOL As far as my primary care physician's take on it, I say BS! If it's not listed as a side effect and you're not the typical patient they learned about in their medical books, they have no idea what to do with you or for you. I'm surprised someone hasn't started a class action lawsuit regarding this drug."

• TLC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2019

For High Cholesterol "My husband began ezetimibe less than two weeks ago because of his intolerance of statins. Like many of the other patients on this thread, he has experienced severe joint pain in hips and elbows, severe back pain, muscle pain in arms and legs, insomnia, depression, chills, cough, and general flu-like malaise. He is exhausted from lack of sleep. The discomfort is so great that sleep is impossible. He has always been a stoic individual when not feeling well but not so now! A light bulb went off when he thought it might be this medicine. Sure enough, this tiny white pill is the culprit. It has been three days since the last dose and his symptoms are still raging on."

• Por...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I do not recommend this drug; this is the 2nd drug I have tried for high cholesterol. My doctor said this one would not cause muscle pain; it did! In less than 4 weeks on this drug, I lost complete use of my right arm and knee, had severe back pain, the bloating was so bad that it pushed up against my chest wall, then the pain went into my chest and under my breasts. The final thing that happened that convinced me to never take another cholesterol drug was lightning bolts in my heart; that was scary! The sad thing about this drug was the cost: $173.99 with insurance for 3 months. I spoke to CVS, and there's nothing they can do. I wasted $173.99 and have 2 1/2 months of this drug left. I'm sharing this to warn you; this drug is so awful, and it's very expensive. It will damage your heart muscle, kidneys, and liver. I prefer to change my diet and lose some weight; not worth the risks nor the pain it causes. Thank you for reading and make wise choices."

• Mud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Statins gave me severe muscle pains, nightmares, etc., so Dr. prescribed Ezetimibe. First 10 days great then I began to develop a small pain in the lower back, kidney area, and it went away about 1 hr. On the 6th week, the pain was 24 hours a day and so extreme I couldn't sleep more than 2 hrs at a time. I stopped taking it, and within 30 or so hrs, the pain ceased in my left lower back, kidney area, and now finally, 6 days later, no pain. The day after I stopped taking it, I had a blood test which showed basically no benefit whatsoever in taking this. Let me add that I have had my thyroid completely removed and am taking Synthroid."

• 65...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 22, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I'm a 65-year-old female who cannot take statins because they cause severe hip, joint, and muscle pain. I was put on ezetimibe and am now having the same issues along with severe lower back pain and tiredness - the side effects are horrible. I stopped taking this drug about a month ago, and I am still waiting for it to leave my body and get back to normal. I can't even walk 2 blocks without suffering. I don't recommend this drug to anyone, it's not worth it! 10 MG was the dosage... never ever am I taking another cholesterol drug. More harm than good!"

• Lis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 18, 2022

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol "I have been on different statins and can’t handle them. They give me vertigo, abdominal pain, stiffness, aches, and pains. I tried just fish oil for a while, but my triglycerides were too high. I am diabetic, and they want my cholesterol and triglycerides in check. My doctor put me on Zetia 6 months ago. My triglycerides are down 90 pts and my cholesterol lowered significantly as well. The problem I am having now is all the side effects just like when I was on the statins besides vertigo. I am also having anxiety and some depression, which I am now reading is also a side effect of statins. As I look back, I had them then as well. In fact, that's when my anxiety started, and I thought it was perimenopause or from my strict dieting at the time. I would love to stay on it because my numbers are great, but I can’t handle the side effects anymore. My muscle spasms have gotten really bad, and my back pain and joint stiffness are unbearable at times. My moods are horrible."

• Sue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2018

For High Cholesterol "My doctor recommended I try ezetimibe and said I might experience some joint/muscle pain. Within 10 days, I had severe lower back pain and needed physio and a chiropractor for 3 weeks of therapy. I stopped this medication and returned to my doctor who assured me that this medication does not cause localized pain in one specific area. So I agreed to restart ezetimibe, and within another two weeks had severe knee swelling and pain, and again my doctor does not believe ezetimibe is the cause. However, from reading some of the above comments, it sounds as though others have experienced similar localized pain. I now have to get an X-ray of my knee and more medical treatment. I’m not 100% sure ezetimibe is the cause, but I’m not convinced it isn’t either."

• Mic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 4, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I wasn’t sure if I could stay on Zetia at first because my blood pressure was lower than usual (78/56), and I had shortness of breath with extreme fatigue. I secretly took only half a pill and half of my blood pressure medication for a while (not recommended). Almost a month later, everything leveled out, and I’m now taking a full dose of both meds with none of the problems listed. I had a lipid panel at the 4-month mark, and my values were all normal, and my LDL dropped 28 points. Best of all, recent lab work shows my liver enzymes as normal, and this was the first medication that didn’t elevate them into the triple digits. I have a bit of back pain along the spine, but nothing major. I’m not sure if it’s the Zetia or just me. Unless it gets unbearable, I’m gonna stay the course. $30 for the generic 90-day supply with insurance. Very pleased so far."

• sta...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 14, 2019

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Ezetimibe has replaced previous statins. Over 17 years, I had tried most common brands of statin following 95% blocked LAD (left anterior descending artery). Similar side effects to others: back pain, leg ache, not sleeping well. Cholesterol reduced to half previous level. Ezetimibe, however, I have no problem at all tolerating. My brother, who has a similar condition, is exactly the opposite!"

• Ken...
• June 15, 2013

Ezetimibe for High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Taken for two weeks and have back pain. Stopped taking medicine."